The YPO Global Pulse Confidence Index for the United States was virtually unchanged compared with the previous quarterly survey, falling less than 1 point to 59.1 in the latest poll of U.S. CEOs. This follows a much steeper 5.1-point decline in the second quarter. At the current level, the index remains in optimistic territory (above 50) and is in line with the global sample.

Confidence amongst CEOs in the EU eroded over the third quarter of 2012. The YPO Global Pulse Confidence Index for the European Union dropped for the second consecutive quarter, from 52.0 to 51.4, the lowest level of confidence amongst business leaders since July 2009.

In a blog on cnbc.com, Rajeev Kapur, a member of the YPO Orange County Chapter and the CEO of Sonic Emotion, discusses how California state law requiring sales taxes on purchases from e-tailers will benefit not only the state but also Amazon and the consumer.

Greg Frankenfield, a member of the WPO Twin Cities Chapter and the CEO of Magenic, shares his opinions on how Windows 8 will succeed in the marketplace due to its major overhaul of the Microsoft user interface.

Dean Donovan, a member of the WPO Northern California Chapter and the co-founder of DiamondStream, discusses the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent reversal of its interpretation of the 1961 Interstate Wire Act and what that means for Internet gaming in a blog on cnbc.com.

Renzi Stone, a member of the YPO Oklahoma City Chapter and the CEO of Saxum, writes a blog for cnbc.com about the possibility and probability of the United States becoming energy independent.

Mark Hebner, a member of the WPO Golden West Chapter and the president of Index Funds Advisors, writes a column for cnbc.com describing the best strategies for financial advisors when communicating with clients – with honesty, candor and data.

Shawn D. Terry, a member of the YPO Dallas Chapter and the co-founder and managing director of MHT Partners, LP, writes a blog for cnbc.com about the business of “gamification,” which makes educational and training settings more fun and engaging by applying digital game design and mechanics.